Tuesday, April 14, 2015

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Mosquitoes collected at Lake Los Carneros on April 2 have tested positive for West Nile Virus, Santa Barbara health officials announced Tuesday.

The positive results are the first in Santa Barbara County since 2006, and the first at the lake since 2005. The county’s Mosquito and Vector Management District is continuing to inspect sites, including the Goleta lake, and is treating them to kill mosquito larvae.

Most people who become infected with West Nile Virus do not develop any symptoms, though about one in five will experience a headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Less than 1 percent of those infected can develop a neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis that can lead to death. People 50 years old and older and people with diabetes or high blood pressure are at greatest risk of complications, according to the Public Health Department.

California experienced 801 cases of West Nile Virus last year, the second highest since the virus first entered the state in 2003. Of those cases, 31 were fatal and 561 were neuroinvasive, the more serious neurological form the disease.

According to state health officer Dr. Karen Smith, the drought could have contributed to the current West Nile Virus activity by creating more limited sources of water for birds and mosquitoes.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California saw a record number of deaths from West Nile virus last year, and health officials say the state's drought may have contributed to the spike.

The state Department of Public Health said Wednesday that 31 infected people died in 2014, the most since California began recording West Nile cases in 2003.

Officials also said there were 801 Californians who tested positive for the virus - coming close to the record of 880 cases a decade ago.

Department head Dr. Karen Smith said it's possible the drought had a role in the increased virus activity by creating more limited sources of water for birds and mosquitoes. Smith said the dry spell could have caused some sources of water to stagnate, making sources more attractive for mosquitoes to lay eggs.